Chocolate Sorbet Recipe
A dairy-free, vegan-friendly frozen dessert with deep chocolate flavor and smooth, creamy texture—made simply with cocoa, chocolate, sugar, and water.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Fine mesh strainer
- Ice cream maker (optional) or freezer-safe container for no-churn method
- Storage container with lid
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 oz bittersweet or dark chocolate (60–70% cacao), finely chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 ½ cups filtered water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1 tsp espresso powder or 1–2 tbsp liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or rum)
Instructions
- Whisk cocoa powder with 1 cup of hot filtered water in a medium saucepan until smooth and lump-free.
- Add chopped chocolate to the saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring until fully combined.
- Stir in sugar, salt, and the remaining 1 ½ cups water. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and optional espresso powder or liqueur.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to ensure smoothness.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer instructions until thick and creamy.
- No ice cream maker? Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze, stirring vigorously every 30 minutes until evenly frozen and smooth (about 3–4 hours).
- Transfer sorbet to an airtight container and freeze for 2–4 hours until firm.
- Let sorbet sit at room temperature 5–10 minutes before scooping. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra smoothness, always strain the base before chilling.
- Adjust sugar slightly for your preferred sweetness, but keep in mind that sugar also affects texture.
- Adding a small amount of corn syrup or alcohol can help reduce iciness and improve scoopability.
- Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor — avoid chocolate chips with stabilizers.
- Sorbet is best eaten within one month of freezing for optimal taste and texture.
- Try flavor variations like peppermint extract, cayenne, or toasted nuts for a twist.